SONIC Drive-In is expanding in upstate New York and wants to open its first location in Albany, complete with 1950s-style carhops on roller skates (maybe).

SONIC (Nasdaq: SONC), just signed a franchise agreement for six drive-ins in Syracuse and Watertown and is developing sites in Rochester and Buffalo.

It's now scouring Albany.

"SONIC would very much like to serve Albany," said Patrick Lenow, a company spokesman. "We are actively speaking with individuals that would like to franchise SONIC in the area, but still have opportunity for those that would like to own their own SONIC in the Albany area."

SONIC would leave it up to local franchisees whether to have 1950s-style carhops deliver food on roller skates to customers in the parking lot, Lenow said.

The website All Over Albany first reported SONIC's interest in the area.

The development investment for franchisees ranges from $1.1 million to $3.3 million, depending on real estate costs, Lenow said.

Average unit sales were $1.1 million in the 2013 fiscal year.

SONIC, based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has 3,517 locations in 44 states. The company says it's the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants. It doesn't have a location in Albany, but is a familiar presence on cable TV with its quirky commercials.

SONIC is targeting northern states, where it has relatively few locations but "high customer awareness and pent-up demand" because of those TV ads, said Bob Franke, senior vice president of franchise sales and international development.

Since northern winters aren't conducive to eating outside in a car, the company has a new prototype that includes indoor dining rooms and drive-thrus.

Harry Tutunjian, whose family owns three acres on Hoosick Street in Brunswick west of Price Chopper, said he contacted SONIC in January asking if the company was interested in the land.

Tutunjian said he was told SONIC wasn't exploring locations in the area because there are no franchisees. Tutunjian, the former mayor of Troy, said he's not interested in becoming a franchisee. He wants to be the landlord.